Travel Alert For Europe

It seems that terrorists are busy spreading havoc especially in busy European hotspots that it prompted the US government to issue a travel ban to Americans planning to go to Europe anytime soon. This move is actually acceptable compared to the other travel bans issued by the Trump government so far. After all, who aren’t afraid of terrorists, right? They make our spines shiver at the thought of suicide bombers and all the things they are capable of doing that is the stuff of nightmares.

This travel ban makes perfect sense considering that summer is just around the corner in the US and many Americans are probably headed to different parts of the globe for a much-needed summer getaway. These travel warnings are issued when there is a higher risk for citizens to get hurt during their stay in that country. For example, terrorist attacks like the recent one in a Manchester concert, civil war or an unstable government. That’s when the government issues a travel warning, strongly urging their citizens to avoid going to these high-risk areas for the meantime. Meanwhile, a travel alert can also be issued and is often in effect for a short term only unlike travel warnings that can go on for years.

The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert for all of Europe on Monday, alerting citizens to the potential risk of terrorist attacks.

The alert, which is intended to inform travelers rather than deter travel, states that U.S. citizens “should always be alert to the possibility that terrorist sympathizers or self-radicalized extremists may conduct attacks with little or no warning.” The alert expires on Sept. 1, 2017 (although alerts are frequently updated or extended).

This travel ban remains until the situation improves. Citizens should be wary as to what country the government has issued these travel warnings before making any plans for traveling abroad.

State Department is warning Americans living in and traveling to Europe of the ongoing threat of terrorist attacks on the continent through the summer.

In a new travel alert issued on Monday, the department said ISIS, al-Qaeda and their affiliates retain the “ability and to plan and execute” attacks in Europe. It said the U.S. officials remain concerned about the potential for future attacks, following a series of strikes in France, Russia, Sweden and Britain.

Being vigilant can help you in a lot of potentially dangerous situations and this is just what the state is asking. And it is for your own good too. If possible, aside from ticking off Europe, for instance, on your summer go-to bucket list, try to steer away from large crowds as well since who knows if a terrorist is lurking nearby and have something else in mind.

The alert mentioned recent attacks in France — which heads to the polls next week to choose a new president — Russia, Sweden and the U.K., noting that extremists tend to focus on tourist hot spots.

A US official told CNN in February that the terror threat in Europe was as high as it’s ever been.

Recent estimates from Europe and US say as many as 1,900 foreign fighters have returned to Europe after stints in Iraq and Syria, the official said. Some remain committed to terror groups like ISIS, but others returned disenchanted.

Terrorists are often Muslim religious extremists who don’t have second thoughts of killing another person. Their terrorist acts are often centered on large crowds like concerts, malls, and even government offices where people converge all the time. It can also be an airport, churches, restaurants or any place that is flocked by people all the time. If it’s not really urgent for you to go to these places or travel to Europe anytime before September 1 perhaps, try to put them off your list for a while longer until there is no more threat to be wary of.